Animal and Nature Motifs in Watercolor

Every second Sunday of the month is Free Family Funday! Join us at the museum for free admission all day, plus a take-home art project for the first 30 children. Video and Written instructions are available below! Docent touring and art making at the museum are currently on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions BUT you can still engage with the exhibit by creating your own work We would LOVE to see your projects. Share it with us on social media using #MennelloMuseum Free Family Day in partnership with City of Orlando’s Family, Parks, and Recreation is created with support from Art Bridges, a foundation dedicated to expanding access to American art in all regions across the nation. Through the “Bridge Ahead” initiative, the foundation has committed $5 million to its partner museums as they face implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. _________________________________ In Celebrating Women’s History Month in March, this Family Funday Project will be inspired by the work of artist, Pop Chalee. Pop Chalee, aka Merina Lujan was born in Castle Rock, Utah. She was given the Native Pueblo name Pop Chalee meaning, “Blue Flower.” Throughout her life, she lived and moved between Utah and New Mexico. During her time at the Sante Fe Indian School, she became a student of Dorothy Dunn, where she was inspired to illustrate the life and culture of her Native Indigenous background. Pop Chalee most often worked in watercolor. She also reproduced those pieces to share with more collectors by offering screen print editions for sale. Pop Chalee and her work became greatly popular, helping the world understand more about the Indigenous cultures. Chalee’s artistic style is also noted for inspiring Walt Disney’s animated film, Bambi. ______________________________ Step 1: Choose one color to be your background. Begin by painting that color in one area and gradually add white to the color to create a gradient effect from light to dark. This is an example of color values. A good tip is to measure the inside of your paper using the frame as a guide for where to paint. Step 2: Draw and cut out 3 animal forms on the construction paper provided. You can use images on the back of this worksheet as inspiration or make your favorite. Step 3: After the background has dried, use your paint brush add a light amount of water with another color to add plants and animals like Pop Chalee’s Untitled Blue Deer. Step 4: Position your animals on the background and glue into place. Finally, glue your masterpiece into the frame provided.